No matter what ails society, the media is the best scapegoat going these days. Since the Cold War ended, we can’t blame communists for every little ill society faces. Why not stick it on the perverted lefties in Hollywood? When it comes to the pervasive corruption of corporate advertising infusing every 6-year-old in the country with the inexplicable need to possess everything from $150 tennis shoes to the complete Pokemon trading card collection, we don’t seem to balk too often. When school children kill each other for base goods or oppressive isolation based on materialistic social status, we blame violent images in the media because it is easier than pointing the finger at materialism. Recently Presidential candidate Al Gore and running mate Joseph Lieberman took a pot shot at the Hollywood industry that has been filling their pockets with donations. They said that Americans should not have to compete with Hollywood over who raises their children. Of course they softened their stance almost immediately by saying they would never try to censor Hollywood, merely nudge it. How tritely noble a sentiment. To take on Hollywood in defense of our children, they must be the good guys. Unfortunately, these boys are only tilting at windmills. The thing about Hollywood is that it only appears huge and powerful. Hollywood is all smoke and mirrors: huge and fearsome in appearance yet absolutely powerless to defend itself against baseless attacks. The solution to this problem is ultimately simple. If Americans really do not want to compete with sex and violence on television over who gets to raise their precious offspring, they can always eliminate the competition and turn off their sets. Editorial Board: Carrie Tett, Amie Van Overmeer, Greg Jerrett, Katie Goldsmith and Andre Hauser